UPDATE

Looking back, my last blog post on March 30 sounded a little negative after getting the results of the second PET scan. A few days later I had a telemedicine visit with my oncologist, Dr. Poh. Recall that the radioactive glucose uptake value (SUV) was way down from my baseline scan and showed that the tumor itself was close to being metabolically inactive. She explained that the large SUV drop indicated that the chemotherapy has been very effective. There are relatively few tumor cells still present. The fact that the tumor mass itself is still relatively large (it decreased about 50%) was not surprising to her considering its initial large size. (It likely is mostly fibrous and necrotic tissue and may not ever completely go away). Bottom line: nearly tumor free and a very good result. Stay the course, and finish out the chemotherapy (7 more infusions every 2 weeks). Gratitude is a major concept in recovery and these results make Diane and I feel very grateful.

Canyon Lands NP, UT